Politics The Best Political Nicknames

Political nicknames are a tradition that stretches all the way back to the first leaders in human society. Even American presidents get nicknames. But in the last few centuries, nicknames have become almost standard issue, with almost every president, prime minister, and elected leader of any kind given some kind of nickname. Some are affectionate, some are insulting, and some are just variations on the person's name or initials.

Many of the nicknames given to presidents and prime ministers haven't stuck, and are all but forgotten. After all, how many people can say who "The Last Cocked Hat" or "Soapy George Underhen" were (President James Monroe and British Prime Minister George Canning, respectively). But many politician nicknames have become permanent fixtures, and inseparable from the person they were bestowed on. We all know "Honest Abe," "The Iron Lady," and "Slick Willie," and it's likely we always will.

Here are some of the greatest political nicknames in history, from prime ministers to congressmen.